Dear Abby: Brother Requests Return of Cryptocurrency Gift After Family Rift
Published January 24, 2026, 12:04 a.m.
A recent letter to the popular advice column Dear Abby highlights the complexities that can arise when family relationships are intertwined with financial gifts, especially in the emerging realm of cryptocurrency.
The letter writer, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared that a few years ago her brother gifted her a substantial amount of cryptocurrency. At the time of the gift, there was no discussion or agreement regarding repayment or any conditions attached to the asset. However, their relationship took a turn for the worse when the brother’s subsequent actions deeply hurt both the writer and her husband, leading to a significant breakdown of trust and reduced contact with him and the extended family.
Although the brother offered what the writer describes as a “sort of” apology, it was perceived as insincere. During this attempted apology, he also expressed a desire to have the gifted cryptocurrency returned. Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties, the writer was unable to repay the gift. She also emphasized that it was given without stipulation and that her brother later admitted that giving her the cryptocurrency was a mistake.
Despite initially letting go of the request for repayment, the brother’s resentment seems to linger, contributing to an uncomfortable dynamic and barely functional communication between the siblings. The writer’s concerns are compounded by her brother’s careless behavior, especially related to his interactions with her sensitive husband, leading her to feel cautious and uncertain about how to handle the ongoing fallout.
In response, Dear Abby advised that while the blockchain asset issue is significant, the deeper problem appears to revolve around the brother’s treatment of the husband and broader interpersonal issues within the family. Abby suggested that the writer is justified in maintaining distance and proceeding with caution, particularly if the brother is unable to communicate respectfully and with consideration.
This case underscores the challenges in navigating personal and financial boundaries within families, especially when emotions are involved and when assets like cryptocurrency, which by nature are less tangible than traditional gifts, are at issue.
About Dear Abby
The “Dear Abby” advice column has been a trusted source of guidance for decades. Written by Jeanne Phillips under the pen name Abigail Van Buren since 2000, and originally founded by her mother Pauline Phillips, the column offers thoughtful and empathetic advice for a broad range of personal dilemmas.
Readers facing similar challenges or seeking advice can reach out through www.DearAbby.com or mail correspondence to P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. —
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